Worth as high as $80 million, the Queen of Soul died intestate. In short, she never got around to putting together a will or trust. Shocking, right? Not quite. According to Forbes, Aretha is joined by a whopping 64% of Americans who have no will.

Many Americans put off estate planning as something they will eventually …

Has anyone ever told you that they lost their inheritance because Medicaid took what was left after their parents passed away? Ever wonder how something like this can happen? It just doesn’t seem fair.

In Ohio, Medicaid Estate Recovery is a program that collects on estates of those who received long-term care support. When Medicaid recipients …

Whether it’s you, a spouse or a parent, deciding to move to a nursing home can be a stressful situation, especially if you don’t know the right questions to ask. You may read the fancy brochures and tour the facilities, but they begin to blend together and the search can feel overwhelming. Before you make …

Often times, estate planning is about leaving your assets to your children. But what if you don’t have children? Tacitly assuming that an Estate Plan is unnecessary for you is a bad idea. Many other benefits are achieved through planning.

Estate Planning can be even more crucial to a couple without children. Your spouse may be …

With the recent Supreme Court ruling, the federal government’s discrimination of LGBT marriage is a thing of the past. Same-sex couples are now afforded equal benefits. What does that mean for same-sex couples and estate planning in Ohio, and why does it matter?

It means terms such as “significant other”, “friend” or “acquaintance” are no longer …

A comprehensive estate plan includes not only documents designating your wishes at death, but also documents appointing people to manage your affairs while you’re alive (but incapacitated). So why do many estate plans will include both a durable financial power of attorney and a trust? Both documents allow for someone to manage and control your …

Our clients come to us for Estate Planning help because they want to make sure their loved ones are taken care of. But what if your loved ones don’t walk upright on two feet – some loved ones are furry and walk on four paws or hooves! According to the Humane Society, up to 500,000 …

A critical aspect of any estate plan is the decision of how your tangible personal property will be distributed when you die. What exactly is tangible personal property? It’s your “stuff.” Examples include your car, jewelry, furniture, photos, china, and artwork. Although these items may seem of little actual value, their sentimental value can be …

You have spent hours working with your estate planning attorney to personalize your estate plan and make sure that your future is on the right path. You’ve crossed the T’s and dotted the I’s and all of your estate planning documents are officially in place… now what?

Whether you die a prince or a pauper, disputes can arise among those left behind. Conflicts between your children from a prior marriage and your current spouse; arguments among your kids; disputes between your executor and your beneficiaries – all of these can happen and often do.

In December of 2014, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was signed into law. The Act provides a new tool to care for disabled loved ones, relieving stress for millions of families. Caregivers often spend sleepless nights worrying how they can ensure that the disabled person is cared for after the caregiver can …

Many people know a Will says where your stuff goes. But far fewer understand how a trust works. Some even have a trust of some sort but don’t really know how it works. But what kind of trust is right for you? That depends largely on your goals. First, all trusts …

If you were unable to make your own decisions because of an injury or a debilitating illness, then who would make them for you? It’s a simple question, but far too many people walk into our office without an answer. Health is a fickle thing, and without a power of …